Timber-separator.



No. 674,455. Patented May 2|, l90l. T E. GOMLY. TIMBER SEPARATYOR.

(Application filed. Nov. 19, 1900'.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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T E. COMLY.

TIMBER SEPARATOR.

(Application filed Nov. 19, 1900.;

(No Model.) '3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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(Application flied Nov. 19, 1900.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet 3.

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warren States T ELl'VOOD UOMLY, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

TIMBER-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,45 5, dated May 21, 1901. Application filed November 19, 1900 Serial No. 36,997. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be itknown thatI, TELWOOD COMLY,aeitizen of the United States, residing at Charleston, in the county of Charleston and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Asserting Boards and other Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

It is desirable in the distribution or working up of lumber of various kinds, that the boards or other bodies into which the logs are divided at a saw mill, and which vary considerably in size, shall be assorted according to their breadths into different lots, that all possessing a common breadth will be assembled in the same pile or place of disposition.

It is the object of my invention to provide automatic mechanism by the operation of which timbers subjected to its action will be automatically assorted or separated in the manner indicated.

Generally stated, my invention comprehends the provision of a way along which timbers as they come from a mill, or otherwise, are caused to travel one by one,and mechanism located in the vicinity of said way adapted to select from the series of timbers passing along the Way such as possess the given dimension for which such mechanism is set, and to occasion the removal of such timbers from the traveling series and their deposit ata point exterior to said way.

In the more complete embodiment of my invention a systematic group of such selective mechanisms, each set for timbers of a special dimension, the group as a whole covering the entire range of variation represented in the timbers subjected to the action of the apparatus, will be provided and the individual mechanisms located in an ordered sequence along the way, with the result, when apparatus ot' the form herein illustrated is em ployed, that the first will remove timbers of the largest size, the next timbers of the next to the largest size, and so on,--tl1e number of the selective mechanisms employed being determined by the constructor and dependent upon the thoroughness of the classification desired, it being apparent that he may wish merely to divide boards into two lots, one of greater and the other of less breadth for into the end stance than eight inches, in which case but one of the selective mechanisms would be required,-or, on the other hand, to divide boards into six lots, one of four, one of five, one of six, one of seven, one of eight, and one of nine, inches breadth, in which case six of the selective mechanisms would be required.

In the accompanying drawings I show, and herein I describe, a good form of a convenient embodiment of my invention, arranged to assort boards according to their breadths, the particular subject-matterclaimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure I is a view in front elevation of an apparatus embodying a good form of my invention.

Figure II is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure I.

Figure III is a transverse, sectional, elevation on the dotted line 3-3 of Figure I.

Figure IV is a View of one of the deflector arms removed from the machine, the view illustrating in connection therewith the adjusting device employed in connection with said arm.

Figure V is a view in perspective of a portion of a roller provided conveyer chain of the character which I prefer to em ploy, and which is of course to be made of any desired proportions.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the accompanying drawings,

a is a supporting framework of any desired dimensions, form, and general character, the same being designed to be located in proximity to a saw mill, so that timbers emerging from the mill may be directed into and through the apparatus.

The framework embodies a way consisting in the form shown of an approximately horizontal base, having an inclined side I), and a front ledge c, said way extending longitudinally of the apparatus and constituting the passage along which the timbers to be assorted by the apparatus pass seriat im.

Boards to be assorted are placed in the way one by one at the entrance end of the machine, being the left hand end in Figures I and II, with their edges resting upon the base or the carrier chain extending along said base, and

their bodies inclined against the side 1) thereof, and in such position are caused to travel along the way.

In the form of apparatus shown in the drawings the front ledge c of the way at the entrance end of the machine, as shown in Figure I, is of increased height, to serve, in the placing of the boards in position, as a guide to bring them in proper alinelnent with said way.

As a means for occasioning the travel of the boards or timbers along or through the way, I prefer to provide an endless carrier chain d one division of which extends along the bottom of the way, and the other passes beneath it, suitable carrier wheels ebeing provided at the respective ends of the apparatus to support and occasion the travel of the chain.

Power being applied in any convenient manner to one of the wheels, corresponding movement of.the chain will, of course, carry the boards along in their inclined positions through the way.

Preferably the chain employed is one provided with rollers, of the character illustrated in detail in Figure V, although any desired form of endless chain or carrier may be employed, and in Figures I and II of the drawings I have illustrated the employment of an ordinary form of carrying chain.

The advantage of employing the roller provided chain is that boards resting upon edge thereon are free to move forward under any impetus imparted to them, at a rate in excess of that of the travel of the chain.

The devices which operate to assort the boards passing along the way, into lots the boards of which have each a common dimension, consist, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated, in normally stationary projections applied along said way and extending thereinto, and each adapted, when encountered by atraveling board, to deflect said board outwardly causing it to tilt on its lower edge forwardly or outwardly, that is to say, away from the inclined side I), with the result that it will fall out over the ledge 0 upon the ground, or into any convenient vehicle or receptacle placed in proper position to receive it.

I prefer to form the projections as deflect ing armsf, two of which are shown in Figures I and II of the drawings, projecting within the way from the inclined side on which they are mounted, and arranged at such an acute angle to the plane of the inclined side that the boards traveling along in contact with said side will, as to their advance ends, when they encounter said arms,

travel outward along said arms as inclined planes, the boards being thus tilted outward until their centers of gravity fall outside their basal edges, whereupon they will fall over the ledge and out of the way as already referred to.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is, in the adjustment depicted, adapted to separate lumber into three piles, one pile to consist of boards of breadth in excess of twelve inches, a second pile of a breadth of less than twelve and more than six inches, and a third pile of abreadth of less than sixinches.

As the boards travel along the way in the direction of the arrow, Figure I, such boards as are of breadth in excess of twelve inches will encounter the first deflecting arm fand continuing to advance will be deflected outward by said projection and thrown from the way into the space beneath, while boards of less than twelve inches in breadth will pass beneath said arm without interference, and said deflecting arm will, so long as the boards con tin ue to pass along the way, operate to select from the series and deflect from the way all of a breadth in excess of twelve inches.

Boards of less than twelve inches which travel along the way past the first deflecting arm come into the vicinity of the second de; fleeting arm, and, said arm, being set to be encountered by boards in excess of six inches breadth, will deflect outward and cause the falling from the way and deposit in the space below, of all boards of such size, while those of less than six inches breadth will pass out of the end of the apparatus, and be deposited upon the ground or elsewhere.

Of course, any desired number of deflecting arms may be employed, and there may be so many of them, arranged at distanoesof such small gradation from the base of the way, that a very complete classification of the boards may be accomplished.

In practice the way may be hundreds of feet in length and have any desired number of deflecting arms, and my invention is presentin an apparatus of the kind referred to, whether few or many of the deflecting arms be employed.

' The projections or deflecting arms shown in the drawings are arranged to be adjusted to diiferent distances from the base of the way, to the end that the range of selection of said devices may be varied at will.

' To secure such capacity for adjustment, I mount each of said deflecting arms upon a slide block g, said slide blocks being respectively mounted in undercut grooves h in the inclined side, said grooves opening through the base of the way.

In the lower end of each of said grooves I arrange an adjusting bard upon the upper end of which a slide block rests, said bars being adapted for vertical adjustment, to force the slide blocks upward to any desired set.

The adj usting bars are conveniently guided in their vertical movement by means of pins jextending from the framework and passing through longitudinal slots is formed in said bars.

The lower end of each adjusting bar is conveniently provided with a series of openings adapted to take over an adjusting pin Z fixedly secured to the framework, the bar, as is manifest, being capable of movement up or down to set its slide block.

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When the slide block is set in the desired position, the adjusting bar is secured by engagement of the pin Zin one of the holes in said bar.

In some adjustments of the bar, as for instance that shown in Figure III, its lower end is carried away to some extent from a vertical position to allow the descent of its inclined upper end through the inclined groove h in which it is entered.

When the adjusting bar is forced upward and its inclined upper end extends for some distance into said groove the lower end of the bar will, of course, be quite close to the portion of the frame from which the pin Z projects.

Any convenient means may, of course, be resorted to to eifect the vertical adjustment of the deflecting arms.

In a suitable recess in the lower edge of each of the deflecting arms, at the point where boards passing beneath said arms, if of full breadth, would encounter them, I provide a roller m which will facilitate the passage of such boards.

Were the deflecting arms fixedly secured in their respective adjustments, it might happen that in the travel along said way of the boards, a board of tapering form with its small end narrow enough to pass beneath a deflecting arm,but its rear end of breadth in excess of the height of said arm above the base of the way, would become jammed or fixed beneath said arm, and block the way of the following boards.

By reason, however, of the slide blocks being free to move vertically in their grooves above the adjusting bars, it happens that when the advance end of a tapering board passes beneath a deflecting arm, the rear portion of which board is too broad to pass beneath said arm in its then position, the edge of said board, acting against said arm, will cause its elevation to permit the passage of the board. The slide block, of course, after thus being raised with the arm will descend by gravity to its position of rest upon the upper end of the adjusting bar.

At the side of the way, in the vicinity of each of the deflecting arms I provide a chute which serves to receive the outwardly thrown boards and down which said boards slide to the place of deposit.

Each chute consists of a pair of inclined members n, the outer ends of which are conveniently supported upon uprights 0.

To break the force of the descent of the boards, especially when the chute is of great height as it may be, I prefer to provide each with a retarding device, shown in the drawings, the same consisting of a swinging quadrangular frame formed of two side piecesp connected at their lower ends by the weight rod q and at their upper ends by the stop board 1".

The retarding devices are so pi votally mounted that their stop boards 1' extend hori zontally across the surfaces of the chutes, while the weight bars, provided with weights of any desired magnitude, are suspended below the surfaces of the chutes.

Boards deflected from the way will fall upon the faces of the chutes and passing down said chutes be brought to rest by the stop boards.

When two or three boards or a selected number have been thus stopped by a stop board the weight of said boards pressing against the stop board will overbalance the weights and cause the swinging of said stop board into the position shown in dot-ted lines in Figure III, with the result that the boards will then continue their descent sliding over the face of the stop board to the place of deposit beneath.

Suitable division walls .9 are located between the respective pairs of chutes and deflecting arms. These walls assist in guiding the boards deflected from the way properly upon the chutes and assist in directing each board thrown from the way, to proper final position.

Many changes in form and arrangement, and in detail of mechanical construction may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of my invention.

The words boards and timbers used herein are employed in their broad significance as referring to various kinds of bodies including planks, scantlings, shingles, and articles of various kinds.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. An apparatus for asserting boards or the like, consisting of a way along which the boards travel, anda device which selects from the traveling boards and deflects out of line such as are of lateral dimensions in excess of a given measurement, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for assorting-boards, a way, means for causing the travel through said way of a series of boards each in an inclined position, and a device overhanging the way along which said boards travel, said device being adapted when encountered by a board of breadth in excess of a given measurement to deflect said board from the way and deposit it in aselected place, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way along which boards are caused to travel in an inclined position, and an adjustable defleeting device arranged within said way, which when encountered by a board of more than given dimensions will deflect said board outward and off of said way, substantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus for assorting boards, in combination, a way having a side adapted to support in inclined position a board traveling through said way, a traveling couveyer, one division of which extends along the base of said way, and a deflecting device extending into said way, substantially as set forth.

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5. In a lumber assorting apparatus, in combination, a way along which boards are caused to travel on edge lengthwise in a common path, and a series of deflecting devices extending into said way and disposed at varying distances from the base of said way, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way having an inclined wall, along which way boards travel in an inclined position, a normally stationary deflecting arm projecting from said inclined wall, said arm being arranged at an acute angle to the face of the wall and serving as an inclined plane outward along which the boards encountered by it travel, substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way having an inclined side wall along which way boards are caused to travel on edge in an inclined position, a deflecting arm projecting from said inclined side wall, said arm being arranged at an acute angle to the face of the side wall and serving as an inclined plane outward along which the boards encountered by it travel, and means for adjusting said arm to different vertical positions, substantially as set forth.

8. In an apparatus for asserting boards, a way along which boards are caused to travel in an inclined position a series of deflecting devices projecting into said way and adapted to be encountered by boards of given width passed along said way, each deflecting device consisting of an arm arranged at an acute angle to the line of travel of the boards and intersec ting said line, substantially as set forth.

9. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way having a base and an inclined wall along which boards are caused to travel in an inclined position, a series of deflecting devices projecting into said way and adapted to be encountered by boards of given width passed along said way, each deflecting device consisting of an arm arranged at an acute angle to said inclined wall, and means for adjusting the vertical set of said arms, substantially as set forth.

10. In an apparatus for assorting boards, &c., in combination, a way along which the articles to be assorted pass, an upwardly extending slideway disposed at one side of said way, a slide block mounted in said slideway, a deflecting arm carried by said block, and means for adjusting the vertical set of said slide block, substantially as set forth.

11. In an apparatus for assorting boards and the like, in combination, a way, means for ejecting boards of breadth in excess of a given dimension laterally from said way at a selected point in the length of the latter, an incline or chute in the vicinity of said means, to receive the boards ejected from the way, and a retarding device operating in connection with said incline or chute, substantially as set forth.

12. In an apparatus for assorting boards, in combination, a way, means for ejecting boards of a given lateral dimension laterally from said way, a chute opposite said means, and a swinging retarding frame, provided with a stop device, hingedly mounted in such posi- "tion that said stop device normally projects above the floor of the chute, but is free to be swung away under the weight of boards passing down the chute.

13. In an apparatus for assorting boards and the like, incombination, a way, means for ejecting boards of breadth in excess of a given dimension laterally from said way ata point intermediate of the length of the way, a chute in the vicinity of such means, to receive the boards ejected from the way, a retarding device pivotally mounted on such chute, having one end normally projecting above the face of the chute, and its other end normally depending below said face, the lower end of the device being adapted to receive a removable weight, substantially as set forth.

14. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way along which the boards are caused to pass, a deflecting projection extending into said way, and an antifriction-roller mounted on said projection, substantially as set forth.

15. In an apparatus for assorting timber, a way, an endless conveyer chain, one division of which extends along the base of said way, and operates to carry timbers along the same, and an adj ustabledeflecting device extending into said way and adapted to be encountered by timbers of a predetermined lateral dimension according to the set of said device, substantially as set forth.

16. In an apparatus for assorting boards, a way provided with means to support boards on edge in inclined position, an endless conveyer chain one division of which extends along the base of said way, and operates to carry boards along the same, and an adjustable deflecting device extending into said way and adapted to be encountered by boards of a predetermined dimension according to the set of said device, substantially as set forth.

17. In an apparatus for assorting timber, a way, an endless roller provided conveyor chain one division of which extends along said way, and on the rollers of which chain the timbers mayhave forward sliding motion independent of the forward travel of the chain, and a deflecting device arranged to be encountered by timbers traveling along theway, substantially as set forth.

18; In an apparatus for assorting timbers, a way along which the timbers travel lengthwise one after the other in a common path, a deflecting arm projecting into said way above the base thereof, and normally stationary but free for upward movement above its normal set, substantially as set forth.

19. In an apparatus for assorting timbers according to their lateral dimensions as they travel lengthwise one after the other along a common path or way, in combination, a way, and an arm intersecting such way at such distance above its base as to be encountered by l'IO IIS

timbers of the appropriate lateral dimensions In testimony that I claim the foregoing as to be selected, and to allow the travel bemyinvention Ihave herenntosigned my name neath it of timbers of less than the required this 5th day of November, A. D. 1900.

size, said arm, which is normally stationary, T ELWOOD OOMLY. being set to act as an inclined plane to guide In presence ofor deflect from the way the timbers encoun- JNO. WOHLTMANN,

tered by it. A. E. GADSDEN. 

